Breathe Easy, San Clemente — Air Quality Normal Despite Oil Spill

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Air quality in San Clemente remains normal despite the large oil spill that has plagued Orange County coastal cities for the past week, the Orange County Health Care Authority reported Friday. The information comes from a recently-posted update from the Unified Command responsible for overseeing the cleanup of the spill.

Air samples from 12 different sites across coastal Orange County impacted by the oil spill were reported to be within background levels (air quality on a typical day) and below California health standards for the pollutants gauged, OC Health Care Agency reported Friday. Air monitoring efforts coordinated by the Unified Command will continue through the duration of the spill's cleanup.

“We are very encouraged by the early results of the air quality sampling," County Health Officer and HCA Director Clayton Chau said in a statement. “As the oil response teams continue to monitor, inspect, and clean the beaches to ensure that appropriate cleanup actions are taken, and in advance of water analysis from the Unified Command, our original health advisory continues to remain in place."

As of Friday, several beaches across Orange County opened in light of recent speculations that the amount of oil spilled into the coast of Newport Beach last weekend estimates a minimum of 24,696 gallons. In Dana Point, Salt Creek Beach, Strands Beach and Baby Beach within the Dana Point Harbor reopened, though the harbor remains closed to vessel traffic. More recently, Laguna Beach partially reopened the sand on its beaches, though hard closures remain intact for the shoreline and the water.

On Friday, the City of Newport Beach reported that the protective boom surrounding Newport Beach Harbor was removed in anticipation of re-opening the harbor to vessel traffic. However, residents are still prohibited from entering beach waters or going near oil-soaked sand.

Fortunately, Seal Beach was largely spared from tarballs and oil sheen as the mass of oil has been spreading south since it was reported last Saturday.

The OC Health Care Agency urges residents to stay wary of the ocean water in spite of beaches opening up, as oil contaminant may still be present in the water even if a sheen is not immediately visible to the eye.

Read more on the southland oil spill:

San Clemente Pier And Beaches Closed To Fishing On Friday

Sunset Dreams Of Oil-Free Water In OC: Patch Photo Of The Week

Is Orange County Oil Spill Smaller Than Originally Thought?

Beaches In Laguna Partially Reopen As Cleanup Ensues